Career and Education Opportunities for Budget Analysts in Columbia, Maryland

There are many career and education opportunities for budget analysts in the Columbia, Maryland area. About 1,990 people are currently employed as budget analysts in Maryland. By 2016, this is expected to grow 6% to about 2,110 people employed. This is not quite as good as the national trend for budget analysts, which sees this job pool growing by about 15.1% over the next eight years. Budget analysts generally examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations.

A person working as a budget analyst can expect to earn about $31 hourly or $65,210 annually on average in Maryland and about $31 per hour or $65,320 yearly on average in the U.S. as a whole. Compared with people working in the overall category of Accounting and Auditing, people working as budget analysts in Maryland earn more. They earn more than people working in the overall category of Accounting and Auditing nationally. People working as budget analysts can fill a number of jobs, such as: controller, cost analyst, and budget coordinator.

There are twenty-five schools within twenty-five miles of Columbia where you can study to be a budget analyst, among 109 schools of higher education total in the Columbia area. Budget analysts usually hold a Bachelor's degree, so it will take about four years to learn to be a budget analyst if you already have a high school diploma.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Budget Analyst

In general, budget analysts examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. They also analyze budgeting and accounting reports for the purpose of maintaining expenditure controls.

Budget analysts furnish advice and technical assistance as well as cost analysis and budget preparation. They also examine budget estimates for completeness and conformance with procedures and regulations. Equally important, budget analysts have to inspect operating budgets to analyze trends affecting budget needs. They are often called upon to confer with managers to insure that budget adjustments are made in accordance with program changes. They are expected to direct the preparation of regular and special budget reports. Finally, budget analysts perform cost-benefit analyses to compare operating programs, review financial requests, or explore alternative financing methods.

Every day, budget analysts are expected to be able to deal with basic arithmetic problems. They need to read and understand documents and reports. It is also important that they decide how to think about problems involving math.

It is important for budget analysts to seek new ways to further optimize efficiency and increase profits. They are often called upon to interpret budget directives and establish policies for carrying out directives. They also match appropriations for specific programs with appropriations for broader programs, including items for emergency funds. They are sometimes expected to analyze monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls. Somewhat less frequently, budget analysts are also expected to testify before examining and fund-granting authorities, clarifying and promoting the proposed budgets.

Like many other jobs, budget analysts must be thorough and dependable and have exceptional integrity.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Columbia include:

Accountant. Analyze financial information and prepare financial reports to determine or maintain records of assets, liabilities, profit and loss, tax liability, or other financial activities within an organization.

Assessor. Appraise real and personal property to determine its fair value. May assess taxes in accordance with prescribed schedules.

Business Management Analyst. Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplifications and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

Cost Analyst. Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.

Credit Analyst. Analyze current credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with this credit information for use in decision-making.

Loan Counselor. Provide guidance to prospective loan applicants who have problems qualifying for traditional loans. Guidance may include determining the best type of loan and explaining loan requirements or restrictions.

Tax Examiner. Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Budget Analyst Training

Marymount University - Arlington, VA

Marymount University, 2807 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22207-4299. Marymount University is a small university located in Arlington, Virginia. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 3,541 students and an admission rate of 84%. Marymount University has 2 areas of study related to Budget Analyst. They are:

Accounting, one to two year which graduated 1 student in 2008.

Finance, one to two year.

University of Maryland-University College - Adelphi, MD

University of Maryland-University College, 3501 University Blvd East, Adelphi, MD 20783-8010. University of Maryland-University College is a large university located in Adelphi, Maryland. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs and has 34,130 students. University of Maryland-University College has two to four year, bachelor's degree, and postbaccalaureate certificate programs in Accounting which graduated forty-five, one, and six students respectively in 2008.

George Washington University - Washington, DC

George Washington University, 2121 I Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052. George Washington University is a large university located in Washington, District of Columbia. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 25,027 students and an admission rate of 37%. George Washington University has 2 areas of study related to Budget Analyst. They are:

Accounting, bachelor's degree, master's degree, and doctor's degree which graduated thirty, ninety-four, and one students respectively in 2008.

Finance, bachelor's degree, master's degree, and post-master's certificate which graduated twenty-two, sixty-six, and one students respectively in 2008.

Potomac College - Washington, DC

Potomac College, 4000 Chesapeake St NW, Washington, DC 20016. Potomac College is a small college located in Washington, District of Columbia. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs and has 374 students. Potomac College has an associate's degree and a bachelor's degree program in Accounting.

University of Phoenix-Maryland Campus - Columbia, MD

University of Phoenix-Maryland Campus, 8830 Stanford Blvd., Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21045-5424. University of Phoenix-Maryland Campus is a small university located in Columbia, Maryland. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs and has 694 students. University of Phoenix-Maryland Campus has a bachelor's degree program in Accounting which graduated one student in 2008.

Columbia Union College - Takoma Park, MD

Columbia Union College, 7600 Flower Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912. Columbia Union College is a small college located in Takoma Park, Maryland. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs and has 974 students. Columbia Union College has a bachelor's degree program in Accounting which graduated six students in 2008.

Trinity Washington University - Washington, DC

Trinity Washington University, 125 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017-1094. Trinity Washington University is a small university located in Washington, District of Columbia. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 1,734 students and an admission rate of 74%. Trinity Washington University has 2 areas of study related to Budget Analyst. They are:

Accounting, bachelor's degree.

Finance, master's degree which graduated 4 students in 2008.

Georgetown University - Washington, DC

Georgetown University, 37th and O St NW, Washington, DC 20057. Georgetown University is a large university located in Washington, District of Columbia. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 15,318 students and an admission rate of 19%. Georgetown University has 2 areas of study related to Budget Analyst. They are:

Accounting, bachelor's degree which graduated 15 students in 2008.

Finance, bachelor's degree which graduated 38 students in 2008.

Howard University - Washington, DC

Howard University, 2400 Sixth St NW, Washington, DC 20059-0001. Howard University is a large university located in Washington, District of Columbia. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 10,696 students and an admission rate of 49%. Howard University has 2 areas of study related to Budget Analyst. They are:

Accounting, bachelor's degree which graduated 42 students in 2008.

Finance, bachelor's degree which graduated 56 students in 2008.

University of Maryland-Baltimore County - Baltimore, MD

University of Maryland-Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250. University of Maryland-Baltimore County is a large university located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 12,268 students and an admission rate of 72%. University of Maryland-Baltimore County has 2 areas of study related to Budget Analyst. They are:

Accounting, two to four year which graduated 16 students in 2008.

Finance, two to four year.

University of the District of Columbia - Washington, DC

University of the District of Columbia, 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008. University of the District of Columbia is a medium sized university located in Washington, District of Columbia. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs and has 5,339 students. University of the District of Columbia has a bachelor's degree program in Finance which graduated nine students in 2008.

Southeastern University - Washington, DC

Southeastern University, 501 I St SW, Washington, DC 20024-2788. Southeastern University is a small university located in Washington, District of Columbia. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 753 students and an admission rate of 67%. Southeastern University has associate's degree, bachelor's degree, and master's degree programs in Accounting which graduated six, nine, and twenty-six students respectively in 2008.

Stevenson University - Stevenson, MD

Stevenson University, 1525 Greenspring Valley Rd, Stevenson, MD 21153-0641. Stevenson University is a small university located in Stevenson, Maryland. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 3,435 students and an admission rate of 62%. Stevenson University has a bachelor's degree program in Accounting which graduated fifteen students in 2008.

University of Phoenix-Northern Virginia Campus - Reston, VA

University of Phoenix-Northern Virginia Campus, 11730 Plaza America Drive, Suite 200, Reston, VA 20190-4742. University of Phoenix-Northern Virginia Campus is a small university located in Reston, Virginia. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs and has 333 students. University of Phoenix-Northern Virginia Campus has a bachelor's degree program in Accounting which graduated one student in 2008.

University of Baltimore - Baltimore, MD

University of Baltimore, Charles at Mount Royal, Baltimore, MD 21201-208. University of Baltimore is a medium sized university located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 5,844 students and an admission rate of 50%. University of Baltimore has a postbaccalaureate certificate and a master's degree program in Accounting which graduated five and twelve students respectively in 2008.

Catholic University of America - Washington, DC

Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20064. Catholic University of America is a medium sized university located in Washington, District of Columbia. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 6,705 students and an admission rate of 81%. Catholic University of America has 2 areas of study related to Budget Analyst. They are:

Accounting, bachelor's degree which graduated 5 students in 2008.

Finance, bachelor's degree which graduated 2 students in 2008.

University of Maryland-College Park - College Park, MD

University of Maryland-College Park, , College Park, MD 20742. University of Maryland-College Park is a large university located in College Park, Maryland. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 37,000 students and an admission rate of 39%. University of Maryland-College Park has 2 areas of study related to Budget Analyst. They are:

Accounting, bachelor's degree which graduated 13 students in 2008.

Finance, bachelor's degree which graduated 12 students in 2008.

American University - Washington, DC

American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016-8001. American University is a large university located in Washington, District of Columbia. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 11,684 students and an admission rate of 53%. American University has a master's degree program in Accounting which graduated nine students in 2008.

Strayer University - Washington, DC

Strayer University, 1133 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005. Strayer University is a large university located in Washington, District of Columbia. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs and has 41,565 students. Strayer University has less than one year, one to two year, associate's degree, bachelor's degree, postbaccalaureate certificate, and master's degree programs in Accounting which graduated six, twelve, one, four, seven, and four students respectively in 2008.

Gallaudet University - Washington, DC

Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave, NE, Washington, DC 20002-3695. Gallaudet University is a small university located in Washington, District of Columbia. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 1,389 students and an admission rate of 64%. Gallaudet University has 2 areas of study related to Budget Analyst. They are:

Accounting, bachelor's degree which graduated 5 students in 2008.

Finance, bachelor's degree.

Loyola College in Maryland - Baltimore, MD

Loyola College in Maryland, 4501 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21210-2699. Loyola College in Maryland is a medium sized college located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 6,080 students and an admission rate of 69%. Loyola College in Maryland has 2 areas of study related to Budget Analyst. They are:

Accounting, bachelor's degree which graduated 45 students in 2008.

Finance, master's degree which graduated 28 students in 2008.

Towson University - Towson, MD

Towson University, 8000 York Rd, Towson, MD 21252-0001. Towson University is a large university located in Towson, Maryland. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 21,111 students and an admission rate of 61%. Towson University has a bachelor's degree program in Accounting which graduated seventy-nine students in 2008.

Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Mason Hall, Baltimore, MD 21218-2688. Johns Hopkins University is a large university located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 20,049 students and an admission rate of 26%. Johns Hopkins University has a postbaccalaureate certificate and a master's degree program in Finance which graduated zero and fifty-five students respectively in 2008.

George Mason University - Fairfax, VA

George Mason University, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444. George Mason University is a large university located in Fairfax, Virginia. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 30,800 students and an admission rate of 63%. George Mason University has 2 areas of study related to Budget Analyst. They are:

Accounting, bachelor's degree, postbaccalaureate certificate, and master's degree which graduated six, seventeen, and three students respectively in 2008.

Finance, bachelor's degree which graduated 9 students in 2008.

Morgan State University - Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University, 1700 East Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251-0001. Morgan State University is a medium sized university located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 7,554 students and an admission rate of 34%. Morgan State University has 2 areas of study related to Budget Analyst. They are:

LOCATION INFORMATION: Columbia, Maryland

Columbia, Maryland photo by Jeff Kubina

Columbia is located in Howard County, Maryland. It has a population of over 96,421. The cost of living index in Columbia, 100, is near the national average.

The three most popular industries for women in Columbia are educational services, health care, and professional, scientific, and technical services. For men, it is professional, scientific, and technical services, public administration, and educational services. The average travel time to work is about 30 minutes. More than 59.0% of Columbia residents have a bachelor's degree, which is higher than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 28.7%, is higher than the state average.

The percentage of Columbia residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 49.3%, is less than the national average but more than the state average. Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, Atholton Seventh Day Adventist Church and Long Reach Interfaith Center are all churches located in Columbia. The most prominent religious groups are the Catholic Church, the United Methodist Church and the Southern Baptist Convention.

Columbia is home to the Symphony Woods Office Center and the Rivers Corporate Park as well as Middle Patuxent Environmental Area and Clarksville Environmental Area. Shopping centers in the area include Governor Century Plaza Shopping Center, Atholton Shopping Center and Owen Brown Village Shopping Center. Visitors to Columbia can choose from PFMG, Courtyard by Marriott and Hilton Inn Columbia for temporary stays in the area.